Obtaining Bonsai

There are many ways to obtain bonsai. At the beginning it is best to
work with the more common plants. Most are obtainable at local
nurseries. Plants that are native the area where you live often make
fine subjects for bonsai. But make sure these plants meet the bonsai
requirements of size, leaf, trunk, and scale.

Among the plants recommended for the beginner are: Firethorn (Pyracantha
coccinea or Pyracantha fortuneana) which is an evergreen with small
leaves; Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri) which characteristics similar
to those of firethorn; the Dwarf pomegranate (Punica granatum nana)
which is deciduous, and has tiny green leaves; and Juniper (Juniperus
scopulorum or Juniperus virginiana) which is a hardy evergreen with
heavy foliage that takes well to pruning.

In addition to nursery stock, plants for bonsai can be collected from
the wild or propogated from plants in your garden. (See discussion of
propagation.)

Growers can now purchase mature bonsai created in this country; these
plants have recently become available at selected nurseries. Mature
bonsai plants also can be imported from Japan, but only deciduous
varieties ship well.